Young and Colorado Shine in the Atlanta Summer Horse Show Derby

June 13, 2009

Lexington, KY – Gary Young and Colorado won their second The Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Atlanta Summer Horse Show on June 12. The victory comes as their first for the 2009/2010 series and their second of this year. In early May, they won the Texas Shoot Out derby at the Texas Rose Horse Park in Tyler.

The German-bred warmblood is owned by Nancy Jones of Little Rock, Arkansas and placed third in his first derby attempt at the 2008 Aiken Spring Masters. Jones is a major proponent of the derby series and is excited to see the impact it’s having on the hunters. “I see such excitement and a renewed interest in hunters and even in handy courses in general,” Jones says. “It is great to have such interest in a hunter class.” Jones who is also a USEF R rated judge, judged the first derby class held at the Lake St. Louis Holiday Series in December of 2007 and found the concept well-placed, exciting and well-sponsored.

Young says that it’s Colorado’s heart that makes him suited to the derby courses. “He always tries to please, and the bigger the jump, the better he is. He has the biggest heart of any horse I’ve ever ridden, and he knows when it’s show time,” the Camden, South Carolina based Young says.

Both Jones and Young hope the 10-year-old gelding brings his competitive side to the ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals that are being held at the Kentucky Horse Park on August 21-22. The two-day event will feature the 75 top-ranked horses in the nation competing against one another for the title of derby finals champion and a share of the $100,000 prize money.

The 2009/2010 USHJA International Hunter Derby Series is supported by the following sponsors: The Chronicle of the Horse – Title Sponsor; Dietrich Insurance-Presenting Sponsor; Charles Owen & Co.-Major Sponsor; Dover Saddlery-Major Sponsor; Essex Classics-Award Sponsor; The Clothes Horse-Award Sponsor